YORK, Pa. -- Rutter's Farm Store in Mechanicsburg, Pa., received the 2014 Commercial Recycling Award given by the Mechanicsburg Borough Council in recognition of the company's exemplary recycling practices.
Since opening in December 2013, the Rutter's store has recycled more than 400 pounds of fryer grease and 17 tons of cardboard and other materials. In 2013, the Rutter's convenience-store chain of 60 locations recycled 81,370 pounds of fryer grease and more than 645 tons of cardboard and other materials companywide.
In 2009, Rutter's became the first convenience-store chain in the United States to implement a companywide recycling program. The program encourages customers and neighborhood residents to drop newspaper, aluminum cans, plastic bottles and glass bottles in the red recycling bins at each store location.
"We are committed to creating sustainable, healthy workplaces that inspire greatness from our employees, as well as improve the environment of the communities we serve," said Derek Gaskins, Rutter's chief customer officer.
Rutter's integrates innovative and sustainable building practices into each new store, including skylights, instant hot-water heaters, a white reflective roof, LED lighting, infrared lighting sensors, and meadow grass and wildflowers as an alternative to traditional landscaping.
Meanwhile, Rutter's donated an additional $230,000 to 10 area schools to provide tuition to eligible students.
The latest announcement follows Rutter's commitment to provide $200,000 for scholarships at 12 preschools and daycare centers in south central Pennsylvania earlier this month. The donation raises Rutter's year-to-date contribution to local charities to more than $634,000 and over $4.36 million since 2003.
"These donations have helped organizations focused on children's care and education to continue their work to uplift and inspire countless kids in central Pennsylvania. We are grateful for the opportunity to give back to the communities that support us," said Rutter's CEO Scott Hartman.
York, Pa.-based Rutter's Farm Stores operates 60 stores throughout south central Pennsylvania.
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